Mario Balotelli returns to Liverpool on his birthday

Click through the gallery for the best snaps of Mario Balotelli at Melwood training centre

Click through the gallery for the best snaps of Mario Balotelli at Melwood training centre

And, according to The Sun, Balotelli's future is up in the air after minnows Pescara pulled out of a deal for him.

Jurgen Klopp has told the 26-year-old and Christian Benteke that they are not part of his plans for the new Premier League season with Liverpool currently possessing six strikers in their first-team squad.

Benteke is wanted by the likes of Crystal Palace and West Bromwich Albion, but nobody seems prepared to gamble on Balotelli who was once billed as one of football's most promising youngsters.

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Liverpool are struggling to offload Mario Balotelli

The striker hasn't done himself any favours after being snapped smoking on holiday, and clubs such as Inter Milan, Ajax and Besiktas have all cooled their interest in recent weeks.

He has been forced to train with the reserves and will not play any part in the Reds' Premier League opener against Arsenal on Sunday.